CLEMSON, S.C. - On Dabo Swinney's desk sits a framed
game program of the 1969 Clemson-Alabama game. A friend gave
it to Swinney a couple of years ago because of his ties to
both schools, long before Swinney knew his loyalties would
be tested this Saturday in Atlanta.

Swinney, Clemson's wide receivers coach and a former
Alabama receiver and assistant, will attempt to help his
current employer defeat his beloved Crimson Tide.

"It will be interesting when they fire up the
band," Swinney said. "I went 13 years without
missing an Alabama game as a player or coach, and I
haven't seen Alabama play in person since the last game
I coached in November 2000."

In the weeks leading up to the Alabama-Clemson game, the
memories have come rushing back to Swinney, a Birmingham
native who played wide receiver on Gene Stallings' 1992
national championship team.

Swinney recalls playing and coaching when Alabama
Athletics Director Mal Moore was offensive coordinator. He
recounts that the last time Alabama played in the Georgia
Dome, he coached the Tide over Florida in the 1999 SEC
championship game.

Mostly, Swinney reflects on how much he has grown as a
person.

From Pelham High School to the first college graduate in
his family. From walk-on wide receiver at Alabama to
graduate assistant.

From full-time assistant to getting fired with Mike
DuBose's staff. From leaving the profession to getting
criticized for where he resurfaced.

From creating a new home in Clemson to almost returning to
Alabama in 2007.

Head coach candidate:

Only six years ago, Swinney was working with Birmingham-based AIG Baker Real Estate on development projects, such as Patton Creek in Hoover. Today, he is an assistant head coach and a rising talent whom Clemson coach Tommy Bowden believes possesses the qualities to be a head coach....